<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000795196
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       2,256,979
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,999
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,961,244
<PP&E>                                      24,189,939
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,214,134
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,375,190
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          449,048
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  24,926,142
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,375,190
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,786,756
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  748,754
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               982,024
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,907,093
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (851,115)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (851,115)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (851,115)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (5.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (5.60)